OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture technique (for regaining consciousness and opening orifice) on methylation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A), and key methyltransferases and demethylases, so as to clarify the mechanism of acupuncture on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI). METHODS: Of 68 male Sprague-Dawley rats of SPF grade, 15 rats were randomly selected as a sham-operation group, and the remaining rats were subjected to the model of middle cerebral artery occlusion using the suture ligation. CIRI was induced by ischemia for 2 h followed by reperfusion. Rats that failed to modeling or died were excluded. The rest 45 rats were randomly divided into three groups, i.e. model group, acupuncture group, and non-point acupuncture group, with 15 rats in each group. The rats in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at bilateral "Neiguan" (PC6) and "Shuigou" (GV26). In the non-point acupuncture group, acupuncture was delivered at three non-points, located 3 mm below the bilateral midaxillary line and 3 mm lateral to the tip of the coccyx. One intervention was operated in these two acupuncture groups and the needles were retained for 30 min. Before modeling start and 2 h after ischemia, a laser speckle flowmeter was used to monitor the cerebral blood perfusion. In 2 h of ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion, the neurological behavioral score was evaluated. The volume of rat cerebral infarction was determined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and the level of m6A methylation in ischemic cortical area was detected by Dot blot, and the protein and mRNA expression of the demethylase i.e. fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) and key methyltransferases, i.e. methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14), and Wilms' tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP) in ischemic cortical area were detected by Western blot and real-time PCR. RESULTS: Cerebral blood perfusion decreased by>70% after 2 h ischemia. Compared with the sham-operation group, the neurobehavioral score and the percentage of cerebral infarction volume increased in the model group (P<0.01); the level of m6A methylation in the ischemic cortical area increased (P<0.01), the protein and mRNA expression of FTO decreased (P<0.01), and that of ALKBH5, METTL3, and METTL14 increased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the model group. When compared with the model group and the non-point acupuncture group, the acupuncture group showed a decrease in the neurobehavioral score and the percentage of cerebral infarction volume (P<0.01), the level of m6A methylation in the ischemic cortical area was reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the protein and mRNA expression of FTO was elevated (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture technique presents its protective effect on the brain in the rats with CIRI, which is related to up-regulating the expression of FTO and modulating m6A methylation.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Rats ; Brain Ischemia/genetics* ; Humans ; Adenosine/metabolism* ; Methylation ; Acupuncture Points ; Cerebral Cortex/metabolism*

This paper summarizes the research situation of the treatment for the periarthritis of shoulder using fire-needle, and summarizes the effective treatment of shoulder periarthritis by using fire-needle method, including the fire-needle with acupuncture or with the cupping therapy, the fire needle combing other methods.Meanwhile. This paper puts forward the problems in the treatment and the clinical study of shoulder arthropoditis.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the differences in the clinical therapeutic effects on spasmodic hemiplegia after stroke among the alliance therapy of scalp acupuncture, music therapy combined with rehabilitation, the simple rehabilitation therapy and the combination of music therapy and rehabilitation.

METHODSA total of 76 patients of post-stroke spasmodic hemiplegia were randomized into a rehabilitation group (25 cases), a combination group with music therapy and rehabilitation (25 cases) and an alliance therapy group with scalp acupuncture, music therapy and rehabilitation (26 cases). In the rehabilitation group, the routine rehabilitation therapy was applied, including the removal of various incentives that cause spasm, the correction of body position and the physical therapy. In the combination group, the music therapy was added on the basis of the treatment as the rehabilitation group. The music physician used the rhythmic auditory stimulation, the patterned sensory enhancement and the therapeutic instrumental music playing to set up the task in the treatment. In the alliance therapy group, scalp acupuncture was added on the basis of the treatment as the combination group. The anterior oblique line of vertex-tempora (MS 6) and the posterior oblique line of vertex-tempora (MS 7) on the contralateral side were selected and stimulated with penetrating needling technique. The needles were retained. During the needling retaining, the needles were rotated once every 10 min, for 2 min each time. The treatment was given one session a day, totally for 5 sessions a week, continuously for 4 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), Barthel index (BI) and the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) of the affected elbow and the passive knee movement at static condition were observed in the patients before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe results of FMA, BI and MAS were not different before treatment in the patients among the three groups (all>0.05), indicating the comparability among groups. After treatment, FMA and BI scores were all increased apparently in the three groups as compared with those before treatment (all<0.05). MAS grade was reduced remarkably as compared with that before treatment (all<0.05). After treatment, FMA and BI scores in the alliance therapy group were higher than those in the combination group and the rehabilitation group (all<0.05). FMA and BI scores in the combination group were higher than those in the rehabilitation group (both<0.05). MAS grade in the alliance therapy group was lower than those in the combination group and the rehabilitation group (both<0.05). MAS grade in the combination group was lower than that in the rehabilitation group (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe alliance therapy with scalp acupuncture, music therapy and rehabilitation achieve the remarkable clinical therapeutic effects on post-stroke spasmodic hemiplegia as compared with the routine rehabilitation and the combination of music therapy and rehabilitation.

Objective: To discuss the action mechanisms of Takayasus arteritis (brachiocephalic artery type) of acupuncture. Methods: We applied acupuncture therapy with the principle of warming Yang and supplementing Qi, removing obstruction in the meridians and recovering pulse, to treat patients with takayasus arteritis (brachiocephalic artery type). Before and after treatment, we detected the TCD (Transcranial Doppler) changes of the average velocity of blood flow (AVBF) and arterial pulsatility index (PI) of related arteris. Results: After treatment,acupuncture and moxibustion can regulate the abnormal blood flow rate in endocranial correlated arteries by two sides, in the AVBF while, elevate the elasticity of endocranial vessels.Conclusion: Acupuncture and moxibustion can regulate cerebrovascular function of patients with takayasus arteritis (brachiocephalic artery type), increase the perfusion of cerebral blood flow, and adjust abnormal state of endocranial hemodynamics. This is possibly the important action mechanisms acupuncture in treating this disorder.

Objective:To investigate the pathological changes following the focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in rats and the effect of acupuncture on them. Methods: A model of ischemia and reperfusion was established by thread occlusion, and the brain-activating acupuncture was applied, and then the morphological changes of the cerebral cortex on the ischemic side were observed under electron and light microscopes. Results:Cerebral ischemia and reperfusion could lead to the structural injury of neurons, gliacytes and capillary vessels in rat's brain, and acupuncture could improve the ultra-structural injury in the area around the cerebral ischemia. It was also found that acupuncture intervention at 3 hours following reperfusion was more ideal than that at any other time points. Conclusion: Acupuncture has a protective effect on the ultra-structural injury of neurons associated with focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in rats, and acupuncture given within 3 hours following reperfusion can produce a satisfactory effect.